Problems w/ Asus A7N8X Deluxe

[Alstair]

I recently purchased parts for a new computer. Here are the specs:

Antec Case w/350W PS
Athlon XP 2700+
Asus A7N8X Deluxe
Western Digital 80 GB HD w/ 8MB cache
2 x Kingston HyperX 512MB DDR333 CAS2
ATI Radeon 9500 Pro
Samsung 52x24x52 CDRW Drive w/ 8MB buffer
CompUSA Copper Pro Gamer cooler
Coolermaster IDE and Floppy round cables
Teac Floppy Drive
5 case fans

The first problem I had was that I could not get Windows to boot from the CDROM off a fresh install. I bypassed this by creating Windows boot disks. I formatted the harddrive and installed Windows. Windows will either freeze(reboot and it continues), give a fatal error, or install just fine. Assuming I get Window's installed all the way, I load the NForce2 Drivers off the CD that came with the motherboard. After that all hell breaks loose. I've had it give errors when I stick a new disk in the CDRW to load some more drivers. I've had it read the CD and load it but when I attempt to install the driver(whichever one it may be) give some kind of .exe error. I've even once managed to get the drivers loaded. That time though then the network wouldn't work despite identical settings to the computer I'm currently on(could see the network but not access the internet). I've had nothing but trouble with this setup. I'm about ready to attempt to return the motherboard, processor, and RAM before my return policy expires and get the P4 2.6C GHz w/800 MHz FSB, Abit Mobo w/ Intel 865 chipset, and 1024 MB of DDR400 from Corsair.

I've currently got the CDRW as the slave and the HD as the master on the primary IDE channel as I heard this might help with trying to get it running. No difference though. Only have 1 stick of RAM in right now in the first slot closest to the CPU(assuming this is slot 1). Please someone help me out if you can. Give me BIOS settings, anything to make this computer work before Tuesday when I'm calling Newegg.com to try to return everything.

 

[pitsi]

That's very weird. I have the same mobo and have not run into problems .. ever! I'm guessing that the problem might be with your RAM but just to get your system running try the following:

1. Update your BIOS to the latest verion (watch out which one you will download, depending on your board revision)
2. Install a different memory module if possible into slot 1 - single channel (maybe a friend can borrow you his RAM for a couple of hours).
3. Install a new video card that you know its working (maybe the one you were using on your old machine).
4. Connect ONLY the hard disk as primary master (remove every other IDE device).
5. Load BIOS default settings.
6. Check your temps from inside the BIOS, to see if your CPU cooler is working properly.

Now after doing everything above try re-installing windows. Now if this doesn't work, then 99% the problem is with your mobo.

Hope this helps. You have a nice system there ... if you get it running !!!

 

[Alstair]

As far as the CPU cooler working properly goes, I'm pretty sure its working because when I turn it on cold its reading around 52 degrees Celsius(which is a little odd because with the original motherboard it was reading 42 degrees). I'll give what you suggested a shot though. How do I go about updating the Bios though. Guess I'll just read the manual about it. The board revision is the newest one with support for the 400 MHz FSB for the new Barton core Athlons. I've seen on other forums that a LOT of people have had problems with this motherboard and chipset. I want to keep everything but if I can't get it to work then I'm just going to have to return it. The odds are very slim though that I got 2 defective motherboards in a row though.

 

[Alstair]

Also, how do I know exactly which motherboard revision that I have? Is it on the box somewhere or the motherboard itself?

 

[Prof133]

how do I know exactly which motherboard revision that I have? Is it on the box somewhere or the motherboard itself?

Look between the 2nd and 3rd PCI slot, it will say "ASUS A7N8X" with a revision number in small letters right after it.

<b><font color=blue>I agree with that solution ... because it is a logical one.</font color=blue></b>

 

[pitsi]

About updating the BIOS, make a bootable floppy disk, copy on to it the flash utility (download it from Asus) and the BIOS image file. Then boot the computer using the diskette and run the utility. You should work out the rest. About your revision check between the PCI slots (REALLY small letters, next to "A7N8X"). But if it's the newer version that supports 400MHz FSB bus as you mentioned, then it must be rev 2.

 

[Alstair]

What should the normal temperature be upon boot up with a Athlon XP 2700+?

 

[pitsi]

You can never be sure that the temps reported by your computer are the correct ones. The best way to check is to touch your heatsink and see how warm it is. I have a 1800+ running at 2400+ speeds and its 37C idle, 42C under heavy load. I'm using SLK-800, Smart Fan 2 @ 3000rpm, Arctic Silver 3.

Btw, if temps are your problem .. have you applied any thermal paste between the heatsink and the CPU core?

 

[Alstair]

The motherboard was reading the CPU die at 62 degrees once it warmed up and thats not even under load. Yes I have thermal paste. I already called NewEgg.com and they're going to refund my money and I'm going to get the 2.6C GHz P4. I still love AMD but gotta admit that the P4's have really ramped up their performance level. Wish I could wait for the Athlon 64 but I don't want to wait that long.

 

[soulprovider]

Try running your memory at 266.

I've also had problems using 512mb modules which would only run stably on that board at 266 even though they were rated at 400.

I put it down to a bug in the chipset regarding memory sizes - the board only supports up to 1.5gb @ 400mhz or up to 3GB @ 266. For some reason it seems using certain 512mb modules makes the system think you're going to be using over the 1.5GB limit so it will only run at the slower 266 speed stably.

You can test this by downloading a utility called Memtest86 (memt86) which creates a bootable floppy and runs an extensive memory test.

I've found no issues using 256mb modules and you'll be able to use 3 of them to achieve 768MB @ 333 or above in dual channel mode.

<b>Vorsprung durch Dontwerk</b>.....<i>as they say at VIA</i>

 

[Bosse]

It´s a well known fact that NV2 MOBO´s and Western Digital Disks doesnt work so well together !!!

 

[pitsi]

Not on my system! My Asus A7N8X Deluxe mobo & WD1200JB work together perfectly! And what's that about "a well known fact"? That's the first time I hear this! It's like saying that ATI cards don't work so well on nforce2 boards, because the chipset is from nvidia!

 

[leebrownusa]

I just built a new system (different mfg for MB but same Nvidia chipset) and I stumbled onto a wierd condition. I had jumped the single hard drive as master in anticipation of adding another hard drive down the road (weeks or months) and this was the only drive on the primary IDE/ata channel. This system would hardly run. I played with the BIOS settings for 2-3 hours and finally just decided to put the hard drive on the CS (cable select) jumper setting. Everything straightened out after that. I mean before that I was waiting "MINUTES" for the system to even boot to a floppy...????

Suggest, get CD on secondary channel and leave hard drive on primary channel with jumper to CS (cable select). Worth a try.

I got my stuff at newegg too. I was thinking I had a return but not anymore. Good Luck.

If this isn't clear just email me at leebrownusa@netscape.net

 

[rebturtle]

I had to do the same thing to my Western Digital 8MBs in order to get them to run normally on my RocketRaid adaptor. The one on the regular IDE channel though (C drive) is set to master w/ no problems. Weird.

<A HREF="http://rebturtle.com" target="_new">rebturtle</A>
<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/rebturtle/TurtleTech.html" target="_new">My System</A>

 

[Alstair]

Im already sending the stuff back. Going to get 2.6C GHz P4, MSI Neo2 Mobo, and 1GB of Corsair XMS DDR400. Will run a little faster than the 2700+ and the motherboard has built in overclocking logic.

 

[rcj187]

fair decision considering current prices i think.
would have been nice to know what the problem was though. im ppretty sure its a ram problem.. dual channel is notoriously picky when it comes to stability

 

[Alstair]

Well techinally Asus doesn't say the Kingston HyperX series is supported. I didn't think it'd be a problem though considering Kingston is a major brand. Besides, I only had one stick in while trying to get the system working so the dual channel would not come into play. Maybe they should put a jumper on the board that lets you pick between dual and single channel operation. Might help cure some of these errors.